Trojan Skinheads , also known as Traditional Skinheads or Trads , are individuals who identify with the original British skinhead subculture of the mid-to-late 1960s. Named after the iconic Trojan Records label, this subculture is defined by its deep appreciation for Jamaican music genres such as ska, rocksteady, and early reggae, as well as its roots in both British working-class and Jamaican rude boy culture.

The movement is fundamentally distinguished by its anti-racist and apolitical philosophy, which stands in direct opposition to the White Power Skinhead movement that emerged later. Trojan skinheads emphasize the multiracial origins of the subculture, which was born from black and white working-class youths uniting in inner-city estates like Brixton and Hackney over a mutual love for imported Jamaican sounds.

The subculture emerged as a response to the "flower power" and long-haired styles of middle-class hippies , with working-class youths instead adopting a sharp, clean-cut, and utilitarian appearance. The foundation of the subculture was laid by the Windrush generation of immigrants from the Caribbean, who brought rocksteady and rasta culture to major British cities. In 1968, Lee Gopthal and Chris Blackwell founded Trojan Records in North West London to bring these sounds directly to the UK market. The label became the primary source of music for early skinheads, introducing legendary artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, and Bob Marley.

Traditional skinheads use the phrase " Spirit of '69 " to commemorate the heyday of the original subculture. The term was popularized by a Scottish crew known as the Glasgow Spy Kids in the early 1990s and was further codified by George Marshall in his seminal history book, Spirit of '69: A Skinhead Bible .

The standard uniform of a Trojan skinhead includes several specific heritage brands and garments:

The haircut is a defining visual characteristic. Unlike the totally bald look associated with 1980s Oi! skins, Trojan skinheads typically wear their hair between a 2 and 4 grade clip-guard. This results in a very short but discernible amount of hair, reflecting the original 1960s style.

Music is one of the most important elements of the Trojan skinhead identity, specifically the upbeat, rhythmic sounds of the Caribbean that provided a contrast to the "grey" reality of London estates. Ska, rocksteady, soul, and skinhead reggae (also known as boss reggae) are the defining genres of the movement. Members of the subculture express fandom through collecting vinyl records, attending ska parties, and frequenting dance halls where these genres are celebrated.

The Trojan sound and aesthetic directly inspired the 2 Tone revival of the late 1970s, with bands like The Specials and Madness giving a nod to original Trojan artists.